Whatever Happened to Meow?

5:22 a.m.

I'm awaken by this weird, wailing sound.

I'm scared at first, thinking it was Emma crying or something. But Emma was fine.

In my semi-conscious state, I realize that the sound is coming from outside.
By now Lee is awake and we're trying to figure out what it is. I look out the window and realize that there are two cats out by our trash cans. They are circling the trash cans (probably trying to figure out how to get to the chicken carcas I put in last night. Thank heavens for trash cans with lids or I'm sure I'd wake up to quite the mess!). They are making the weirdest sounds.

It starts out as, "AAAAHHHHH" and then went into a chorus of, "Oey, oey, oey, oey!"

It was so weird! And loud!

I then notice the Bishop going to each of his windows trying to figure out what the noise was.
"Oey, OEY, OEY", they continue.

So I yell out the window, "HEY!" but of course that didn't help.

"OEY, OEY OEY"

I then try letting out a cat-like snarl their way, but it didn't affect them in the least. I guess I'm not scary enough.

"OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY!"

By that time, Lee said to just forget it and he fell back asleep and I'm seriouly annoyed!

"OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY!!!"

It got even louder so I try yelling, "Git outta here! GIT!"

The rude cats kept it up!

"OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY, OEY!!!!"
(They did it longer this time to tick me off, I'm sure.)

Then my neighbor across the way (aka the Wizard), after being sick of the cat noises and annoyed by my efforts, came out, scared the cats away, and went back inside. (Why didn't I think to do that?) Well, it was then about 5:40 or so and the boys were up getting ready and Emma had woke up so there was just no going back to sleep.

Stupid cats!

Since I was up, I took the boys (and the girl who's parents are too lazy to take their daughter to early morning seminary!) to school around 6:10 and so my day begins -- MUCH earlier than I had planned.

Stupid, STUPID cats!

Nice.

***DON'T BE ALARMED...THEY ARE JUST SLEEPING IN THE FOLLOWING PICTURES***

I took Cole to football practice across town this afternoon and this is what I came home to...



My kids can sleep anywhere
and these two could sleep through an earthquake!
(And by the looks of things, it would seem like there was an earthquake!)

Where Did The Summer Go?

It seems like yesterday that Elisabeth came home for the summer but it's already time to take her back for her 2nd year at SUU. Last year, I was bawling and so sad to see her go. This year, I'm still sad to see her go, but I've accepted that this is the best thing for her and I limited the crying to a few tears on the way home. (I pretended that my eyes were burning but I don't think Lee bought it!)

Yesterday, Lee, Elisabeth, and I packed up the PT Cruiser with all of Elisabeth's stuff and headed down to Cedar City. I have to say that it was one of the slickest moves I've ever participated in. Elisabeth took care of checking in and knew exactly where she needed everything put away. It took us only about 45 minutes to hang up all her clothes, make her bed, and put away things. It was way faster than last year! After running a few errands and getting some lunch, we took a trip to Wal Mart to pick up a few things. (I say a trip because if you ever get the opportunity to shop with Lee, it is definitely a "trip".)

We then went back to her dorm and got her all settled and then it was time to say goodbye and head home. It was a quick trip but I think it was better than dragging out our goodbyes like we did last year. It's nice to have learned a few things that made this easier and less emotional.

She has new roomates this year. I got to meet most of them. The roomate in her bedroom is a sweet girl named Sam. I was so glad to walk in and see all the good things Sam had up on her side of the room (pictures of family, Christ, quotes, good movies, etc.) It was a relief that she and Elisabeth will have some things in common.

I know this will be a great year for Elisabeth! I can just feel it! As hard as it is to let her go, I know it's the best thing for her. She's all grown up and has a life of her own. I know it was hard for her to live at home again this summer and I know that even though she misses us and we miss her, she is happy to be back to school.
So...
Good Luck this year Elisabeth!
Work Hard.
Study Hard.
Have FUN.
Remember Who You Are.
and most of all,
Remember we love!
We're so proud of you!
*sniff sniff*
(I miss you already!!! But I'm trying to be strong!)

granny airbag

What does your father-in-law do when he comes to your house?
Mine shows us random videos just for fun. Here's one he showed today. It's great! I want to be a fiesty old lady!

P.S.
I want to apologize to anyone who may have read my last post. (I deleted it because I'm kind of embarassed now). I was just put out but I'm over it now. Sorry.

Max started 2nd grade yesterday.

Apparently he showed his quirky sense of humor (that he worked so hard to develop over the summer) during class. His teacher was telling me that the class was playing a "Name Game" and the children took turns going around the room naming everyone's names. One of the boys got to Max and there was a long pause.

Then Max says, with his hands out and a total disgusted look,
"Uhhh... Bob!"
(Like, duh.)

The class roared with laughter and a class clown was born. I guess he needs to have the "There's a time and a place..." lecture that Cole's had over and over.

Oh boy. This is going to be quite the year, I can just tell.

A Vacation Just Isn't in My Cards!

Well, we are back from our "mini-vacation" to Draper. My hope was a relaxing week before the chaos ( aka: back-to-school) began.

Well, here's how my relaxing week unfolded...

* Lee ended up working Monday - Thursday so he was back and forth.

*Jake's IB counselor hadn't got his schedule set up so there was a meeting Monday to get that worked out.

*Tuesday, Elisabeth and I got a popped tire on 1300 E. and 3300 S. in SLC on our way to Nordstrom's Rack and had to wait hours for a tow truck because somebody forgot to put the spare tire back in the car before we left (even thought I asked twice!). Instead of waiting at the car, we walked from 3300 S. to 2100 S. to Nordstrom's Rack and did some shopping so it wasn't a complete waste. But, since our bald tires weren't replaced before we left (another thing I asked for!) we ended up paying for a tow truck and new front tires. (Maybe, just maybe, I know a thing or two and I'm not just a nag!)

*Wednesday, the kids and I went to the Gateway in Salt Lake and the older kids saw a movie at the Clark Planetarium while I walked around with Emma and did a little school shopping. That was fun until on our way back home that night, our brake light and ABS light both came on in the van. It turned out to be a short in the electric system but caused a slight panic!

*Thursday, we had freshman orientation and yet another appointment with Jake's counselor. Then I spent the rest of the day getting ready for Back-to-School night. Lee took Cole to his back-to-school night and I worked the PTA table at the elementary school.

*Lee took the boys to Lagoon Friday after he worked all morning, while the girls and I spent the afternoon trying to get the bank account fixed because the car place (where we bought Lee's new car) put our post-dated down payment check through before the date they were supposed and it screwed everything up. Luckily they paid all the overdraft fees, etc. and it got fixed. Then, the girls and I were able to have some fun and went shopping at Target and IKEA (I finally got to go!) and watched "High School Musical 2". (I finally saw the first one all the way through the other day and I have to say, although they are on the corny side, I'm glad they still make good, clean shows like that.) It was fun spending time with just the girls.

*Saturday, we finally had a relaxing day (at least I did). Lee did have to come back down to Provo for Cole's football parent's meeting. We did a little more school shopping and hung around the house. We barbequed shishkabobs and had corn on the cob.

*And today, we slept in and headed home this afternoon.

So, our "vacation" wasn't so much a vacation but at least we were somewhat together. Our next vacation will be far, far away and we'll just have to miss work and other obgligations. Other's do it all the time and so can we! It will be okay!

Here's to New Year's Resolutions!

Being a perfectionist at heart, I usually make a long, unrealistic list of New Year's Resolutions listing the many things I want to improve.

Not this year.

I thought long and hard and made one-- basically to serve more so I will think of others and not be so self absorbed.
So, the first few months of this year, I looked into many different groups and organizations but none really fit into my family's schedule. Well, after a while, I kind of did as I usually do -- I put my resolution on the back burner and got on with my life.

That is, until sometime in March or April I got a call saying that I was nominated to be President Elect of the PTA at our elementary school. I just laughed when the nice lady on the phone told me. You see, I haven't been a member of the PTA for 8 years! But, I told her, "Sure, you can put me on the ballot but I doubt any one will vote for me."

Well, people did vote for me.
(To this day, I can't imagine why.)

So, I was supposed to be President Elect (meaning I'd train this year and be President next year.) I thought that was do-able. Well, the President decided to move her kids to the charter school so I was asked to be President.

After another laugh, I reluctantly agreed.

I've been trying to figure out this whole PTA thing over the past couple of months and I have to say, I'm a little overwhelmed. But, I have to admit, I'm really starting to enjoy it. I have met some really great people and it feels good to be working for something worthwhile. Tonight was Back-to-School night and although only 10 people signed up for PTA tonight, I got to meet a lot of new people and I'm starting to get more excited for the year. (F.Y.I. -- If you sign up, I have 2 tickets to the Utah County Women's Expo on Sept. 7-8 for you and you don't have to have children in school to be a member of the PTA.)

I just realized the other day that I just might be able to keep a New Year's Resolution this year. IT'S A MIRACLE!

Wish me luck, though, because I don't know what the heck I'm doing!

Look ...

Here's what happened according to Emma:

"Me fell down the stairs last night.
My shoes were on the wrong feet and me went too fast.
Me falled and it hurts right here (pointing to her arm)."

That's what she told the doctor, wide eyed and nodding, yesterday when he asked what happened.
It was so funny!

She fell down about 3 stairs and when she tried to stop, she broke her arm. At first I didn't think anything was wrong. I just thought she was more scared than hurt. She could move her arm and touch it without flinching so I thought everything was fine. But then yesterday, when I was getting her dressed, she screamed out when I lifted her arms up to put on her shirt. I just thought her arm was probably just bruised because it would be swollen and she would be miserable if it were broken right? Well, I was talking with my mom later and she told me to take her to the doctors because that's exactly how it was when my sister broke her arm. So, thankfully I listened to my mom and sure enough it was broken. The upper arm bone (I was informed by Jake it was the Humorous bone. Thanks Jake.) has a crack about a half inch right below the shoulder. I felt like an awful mom. Poor girl! She must have a really high tolerance for pain because I had NO idea it could be broken. Anyway, she was really brave and told the doctor what happened and how she felt. She didn't give the xray tech any problems and she wears her cute little splint with no problems at all. It looks like she'll only need it for about 2 weeks. It could be worse but I feel so bad for her! She's doing well though.

Another August, another broken bone in our family!
Remember last year ...

And I thought I was cheap!

This morning, I had my Garage Sale.
It is so amazing the crap people buy. (Like knowing the blender is missing the lid but still buying it?)
You can meet some very interesting people at a Garage Sale. (Like the man that Cole lovingly dubbed "Joe Dirt" who bought china dishes and the Children Songbook cd's.)
I learned something about myself today.
I am not one to bargain.
For example, we were selling an old bike for $5 and and kid's guitar for $3 (without strings).
Well, somehow this man walked away with the bike and the guitar for $5.
After that, Scott said he'd do the bargaining from then on!
And there's always someone who is so incredibly cheap that they try to get everything for 1/2 off. Like 50 cents is too much to pay for a video. Come on!
I even sold my flower shirt, you know, the flower shirt. It was one of the first things to go. The flower shirt will live on. (Just not through me.)
All and all it wasn't a horrible experience. I got rid of some junk, spent time with the kids, and made a few bucks all in one morning.

Not too shabby!

Pretty Proud...

Did you see my sons last night on the news?

Click here to read all about it! (There's also a video.)

They were in the honor guard that did the flag raising ceremony at the district office yesterday morning. Scott is the cute one with dark hair holding the flag and Jake is directing the ceremony. Jake is also interviewed in the video and looks and sounds so handsome!

I'm not always a big fan of scouting (I don't like the uniforms, badges, and stuff like that) but I do like the experiences my boys have had. We are really lucky to have good scout leaders in our ward and the boys have really benefitted from that.